HISTORY
FIRES
FIRES
TOWN SQUARE SHOPS FIRES
by Gail Hussey-Weir
Created June 2021; updated February 2023
by Gail Hussey-Weir
Created June 2021; updated February 2023
Town Square Fire of January 14-15, 1937
From Submarine Miner, Nov. 1954:
"One of the worst conflagrations in the history of Bell Island occurred on January 14th, 1937. In a high wind and freezing rain, the Brigade was called upon to perform an almost impossible task in combating a fire which broke out on Town Square, the main business section of the Island. For hours they battled the raging inferno which, before it could be brought under control, had destroyed seven dwellings and fourteen business premises. But for their Herculean efforts on that night, scores of other homes and business places in the district would have been razed."
"One of the worst conflagrations in the history of Bell Island occurred on January 14th, 1937. In a high wind and freezing rain, the Brigade was called upon to perform an almost impossible task in combating a fire which broke out on Town Square, the main business section of the Island. For hours they battled the raging inferno which, before it could be brought under control, had destroyed seven dwellings and fourteen business premises. But for their Herculean efforts on that night, scores of other homes and business places in the district would have been razed."
From the Daily News, Jan. 1937:
"On the 14th of January, 1937, business was carried on as usual on Town Square. Fronting on this busy but narrow street were upwards of 30 stores and dwellings. It was the heart of the shopping district, for in that congested area most of the business of the mining town was carried on. When the next day dawned, most of that business section was level with the ground. During the night, at least 20 stores and homes had been wiped out, and the space from Benny Glick's store on the hill near Bennett Street to Basha's building on the lower end of the Square was a blackened waste, with smoke still rising from its ruins."
Some of the homes and businesses destroyed on west side were: Eugene Kennedy, Charles Cohen, Noah Mendelsohn, J.J. Tucker, L.J. Lawton, Chas. Andrews barber; on east side: Prosperity Store, Bell Island Drug Store with residence of Dr. W. Templeman and dental office of Dr. H.F. Giovannetti, Carbage's Fruit Store, Elias Basha's store, Nathan Cohen's house and store, the Wabana Shoe Store and home of W.F. Billingsley, Elias Gosine's house and store.
Rebuilding began as soon as possible in the devastated area. By August, Elias Gosine, W.F. Billingsley, Nathan Cohen, Elias Basha and Mrs. M. Carbage were rebuilding on the east side of the street. A dwelling was going up at the rear of E. Basha's store where the proprietor was building a hotel. James Case was building a drug store on that side of the street for John Fleming. On the west side of the Square, the following construction was going on: David Feder was building a one-storey store on the land where the foundation of the Goldstone fortune was laid. Eugene Kennedy had built a two-storey house. Then came Charles Cohen's store and house. Next to that was J.J. Tucker's building with the largest floor space on the Square, 125' x 57'. L.J. Lawton had built a new drug store on the ruins of the old and it was described as one of the finest in the country."
"On the 14th of January, 1937, business was carried on as usual on Town Square. Fronting on this busy but narrow street were upwards of 30 stores and dwellings. It was the heart of the shopping district, for in that congested area most of the business of the mining town was carried on. When the next day dawned, most of that business section was level with the ground. During the night, at least 20 stores and homes had been wiped out, and the space from Benny Glick's store on the hill near Bennett Street to Basha's building on the lower end of the Square was a blackened waste, with smoke still rising from its ruins."
Some of the homes and businesses destroyed on west side were: Eugene Kennedy, Charles Cohen, Noah Mendelsohn, J.J. Tucker, L.J. Lawton, Chas. Andrews barber; on east side: Prosperity Store, Bell Island Drug Store with residence of Dr. W. Templeman and dental office of Dr. H.F. Giovannetti, Carbage's Fruit Store, Elias Basha's store, Nathan Cohen's house and store, the Wabana Shoe Store and home of W.F. Billingsley, Elias Gosine's house and store.
Rebuilding began as soon as possible in the devastated area. By August, Elias Gosine, W.F. Billingsley, Nathan Cohen, Elias Basha and Mrs. M. Carbage were rebuilding on the east side of the street. A dwelling was going up at the rear of E. Basha's store where the proprietor was building a hotel. James Case was building a drug store on that side of the street for John Fleming. On the west side of the Square, the following construction was going on: David Feder was building a one-storey store on the land where the foundation of the Goldstone fortune was laid. Eugene Kennedy had built a two-storey house. Then came Charles Cohen's store and house. Next to that was J.J. Tucker's building with the largest floor space on the Square, 125' x 57'. L.J. Lawton had built a new drug store on the ruins of the old and it was described as one of the finest in the country."
From the Daily News, Jan. 12, 1952, p. 7:
"Recalls Fire of 1937. Monday, January 14th, marks the 15th anniversary of the biggest fire in the history of the Iron Island for it was on that date in 1937 a conflagration that lasted for hours razed to the ground practically all the business section of Town Square.
Starting in a house owned by Lou Kennedy, it completely destroyed the house and shops of Peter Kennedy, Charles Cohen, including the shop occupied by Sam Mendelsohn, J.J. Tucker's shop, Lawton's new drug store and barber shop owned by Lawton, occupied by Charles Andrews. Crossing to the other side of the street in the high wind, it destroyed the store run by Hubert Butler, Bell Island Drug Store, including premises occupied by Dr. Templeman, and office of Dr. Giovannetti (dentist), then Carbage's fruit store, Elias Basha's store and house, Nathan Cohen's new house and store, Billingsley's house and store, and Elias Gosine's house and shop.
In the meantime, on the west side of the street, it spread to an unoccupied shop known as the old Co-op Store, and then to the old Goldstone shop, occupied by Chinese as a restaurant and laundry.
All during the fire, a heavy south to southwest wind blew, rain fell, and roads were covered with sleet and ice, making it almost impossible to move about. Some delay in securing air to operate pumps caused a shortage of water. No lives were lost, but many owners were inadequately insured."
"Recalls Fire of 1937. Monday, January 14th, marks the 15th anniversary of the biggest fire in the history of the Iron Island for it was on that date in 1937 a conflagration that lasted for hours razed to the ground practically all the business section of Town Square.
Starting in a house owned by Lou Kennedy, it completely destroyed the house and shops of Peter Kennedy, Charles Cohen, including the shop occupied by Sam Mendelsohn, J.J. Tucker's shop, Lawton's new drug store and barber shop owned by Lawton, occupied by Charles Andrews. Crossing to the other side of the street in the high wind, it destroyed the store run by Hubert Butler, Bell Island Drug Store, including premises occupied by Dr. Templeman, and office of Dr. Giovannetti (dentist), then Carbage's fruit store, Elias Basha's store and house, Nathan Cohen's new house and store, Billingsley's house and store, and Elias Gosine's house and shop.
In the meantime, on the west side of the street, it spread to an unoccupied shop known as the old Co-op Store, and then to the old Goldstone shop, occupied by Chinese as a restaurant and laundry.
All during the fire, a heavy south to southwest wind blew, rain fell, and roads were covered with sleet and ice, making it almost impossible to move about. Some delay in securing air to operate pumps caused a shortage of water. No lives were lost, but many owners were inadequately insured."
The photo above is of the ruins of Town Square following the January 1937 fire, looking south up Town Square. On the left horizon is Louis Lawton's house (still standing in 2021). An early version of Immaculate Conception School can be seen behind the two-storey house just right of middle, then the Convent. On the right horizon is the Orange Hall.
The photo below is looking north at the ruins in the bottom half of Town Square. On the left is the DOSCO Survey Office. Just right of middle is the DOSCO Surgery, with William Somerton's Company house next. The Somerton house and Survey Office are still standing in 2021.
The photo below is looking north at the ruins in the bottom half of Town Square. On the left is the DOSCO Survey Office. Just right of middle is the DOSCO Surgery, with William Somerton's Company house next. The Somerton house and Survey Office are still standing in 2021.
The Lawton's Drugstore Fire of December 17, 1963
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The b/w photo on the right above shows the front of Lawton's Drug Store before the December 1963 fire. The coloured photo on the left shows the three buildings lost in the fire: Agnes-Surpass shoe store (owned by Benny Glick) was a Bowring Brothers Supermarket at the time of the fire. Next was Mercer's Snack Bar, then the Lawton's Drug Store building (yellow with green trim), which also contained the Eaton's Order Office and Andrews Barbour Shop.
“Giant Fire Races Through Wabana”
from the Daily News, Wed. Dec. 18, 1963, p. 3
from the Daily News, Wed. Dec. 18, 1963, p. 3
"Fire raced through Town Square in downtown Wabana Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and up to Daily News press time, had destroyed Lawton’s Drug Store, Mercer’s Snack Bar, the supermarket building formerly occupied by Bowring's, several utility buildings, and threatened other houses and shops. Volunteer Bell Island firemen along with six men from St. John’s fire department, and three fire engines battled the blaze which is said to have broken out in the drug store storeroom approximately 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Reports from the Island early this morning said that the fire had been brought under control around 12:30 and the danger was believed gone. All the buildings going up the hill from the drug store were in danger. With a northwest wind blowing and temperatures well below freezing, fire fighters encountered extreme difficulties. Up to press time early this morning, no injuries had been reported.
On the street opposite the fire center is located St. Kevin’s RC School, the Immaculate Conception school and convent. School authorities quickly removed all records from St. Kevin’s Tuesday night fearing a spread of the fire.
Bell Island fire chief Malcolm Blackmore commands some 48 volunteers, but some of these were on DOSCO company work shifts in the mines at the time of the fire. The fire fighters worked with two pumpers, in addition to the truck and Jeep which came from St. John’s at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday. One pumper was connected to the company’s water line, while 1,000 feet of hose was run out from the one hydrant in the vicinity. Difficulty was experienced early in the fire when the hose was broken by vehicles passing over it, but this was soon remedied when RCMP prohibited the flow of traffic. Thousands of town's people went to the scene and RCMP had a difficult time in holding back the crowds.
Nearby the fire location is Bennett Street where other threatened buildings include the building formerly occupied by the Great Eastern Oil Company Limited, Bennett’s dwelling, and a snack bar operated by John Bennett. The house just up the hill from the destroyed drug store is owned by John Kennedy. When the fire was gaining progress Tuesday night, the Kennedy family evacuated the dwelling and took their belongings. Several other residents who live in the area of the blaze also took the precaution of removing some belongings and moving to other shelters for the night.
While no estimation of damage was available at press time, it is reported that the loss will go into many thousands of dollars, as much Christmas stock in addition to other stocks was destroyed in the drug store. The hill out of Town Square does not contain the largest Wabana business houses, but it is located in the section of Wabana which is the most highly populated."
On the street opposite the fire center is located St. Kevin’s RC School, the Immaculate Conception school and convent. School authorities quickly removed all records from St. Kevin’s Tuesday night fearing a spread of the fire.
Bell Island fire chief Malcolm Blackmore commands some 48 volunteers, but some of these were on DOSCO company work shifts in the mines at the time of the fire. The fire fighters worked with two pumpers, in addition to the truck and Jeep which came from St. John’s at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday. One pumper was connected to the company’s water line, while 1,000 feet of hose was run out from the one hydrant in the vicinity. Difficulty was experienced early in the fire when the hose was broken by vehicles passing over it, but this was soon remedied when RCMP prohibited the flow of traffic. Thousands of town's people went to the scene and RCMP had a difficult time in holding back the crowds.
Nearby the fire location is Bennett Street where other threatened buildings include the building formerly occupied by the Great Eastern Oil Company Limited, Bennett’s dwelling, and a snack bar operated by John Bennett. The house just up the hill from the destroyed drug store is owned by John Kennedy. When the fire was gaining progress Tuesday night, the Kennedy family evacuated the dwelling and took their belongings. Several other residents who live in the area of the blaze also took the precaution of removing some belongings and moving to other shelters for the night.
While no estimation of damage was available at press time, it is reported that the loss will go into many thousands of dollars, as much Christmas stock in addition to other stocks was destroyed in the drug store. The hill out of Town Square does not contain the largest Wabana business houses, but it is located in the section of Wabana which is the most highly populated."
from the Daily News, Thurs. Dec. 19, 1963, p.3
This fire destroyed 3 buildings, and a considerable amount of stock contained in the drug store, but no personal injuries were received.
Damage to the Lawton drug store has been estimated at $85,000 and it is expected that the total damage in this week’s Town Square fire will run into $150,000.
Another fire Tuesday completely destroyed a repair garage and two cars at West Mines, and one week ago on Dec. 10, the $500,000 St. Augustine’s elementary school was gutted.
Throughout the late summer and autumn [of 1963], there were persistent fires on BI and reports of a “firebug” were frequent. Many vacant buildings, including boarded up houses, were destroyed by fire during this rash, but none of them equaled the Town Square fire.
The fire of 1937 was brought to the minds of many residents this week as they watched the progress of Tuesday’s fire which threatened to take more buildings than it did. The work of some 40 firemen and a contingent from St. John’s succeeded in stopping the blaze at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Referring to the 1937 Town Square fire above, the article went on to say:
In 1937, an overheated stove pipe in a residence on Main Street started a fire at 9:00 p.m. which was not to be brought under control until 2:25 a.m. the following day. No help was received from St. John’s in this case as high winds and a big sea prevented ferry travel. Everyone on the Island who was capable assisted in fighting that major fire which was later said to be the most serious in all of Conception since the last conflagration at Carbonear.
Coincidentally, Mr. Lawton, owner of the drug store destroyed this week [1963], lost a drug store in the fire of ’37.
Fire department authorities are today probing the Town Square ruins seeking clues to the start of the blaze.
The only remaining drug store on the Island, Fleming’s drug store, lost its windows due to the heat of the fire, which was raging across the street.”
Damage to the Lawton drug store has been estimated at $85,000 and it is expected that the total damage in this week’s Town Square fire will run into $150,000.
Another fire Tuesday completely destroyed a repair garage and two cars at West Mines, and one week ago on Dec. 10, the $500,000 St. Augustine’s elementary school was gutted.
Throughout the late summer and autumn [of 1963], there were persistent fires on BI and reports of a “firebug” were frequent. Many vacant buildings, including boarded up houses, were destroyed by fire during this rash, but none of them equaled the Town Square fire.
The fire of 1937 was brought to the minds of many residents this week as they watched the progress of Tuesday’s fire which threatened to take more buildings than it did. The work of some 40 firemen and a contingent from St. John’s succeeded in stopping the blaze at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Referring to the 1937 Town Square fire above, the article went on to say:
In 1937, an overheated stove pipe in a residence on Main Street started a fire at 9:00 p.m. which was not to be brought under control until 2:25 a.m. the following day. No help was received from St. John’s in this case as high winds and a big sea prevented ferry travel. Everyone on the Island who was capable assisted in fighting that major fire which was later said to be the most serious in all of Conception since the last conflagration at Carbonear.
Coincidentally, Mr. Lawton, owner of the drug store destroyed this week [1963], lost a drug store in the fire of ’37.
Fire department authorities are today probing the Town Square ruins seeking clues to the start of the blaze.
The only remaining drug store on the Island, Fleming’s drug store, lost its windows due to the heat of the fire, which was raging across the street.”
*The item below of Wednesday, December 11, 1963 may be from the Evening Telegram. Page 3 had an article about the St. Augustine's School fire of December 10, 1963, which you can read about by clicking the button for the main "Fires" page below. Also on page 3 was the story of yet another 1963 fire.
“Fire Delays Work on Island Hospital”
The building of the new Bell Island community hospital is expected to be delayed for two weeks as the result of a fire Monday [Dec. 9, 1963].
The fire, causing thousands of dollars in damage, destroyed a gasoline operated steam boiler and its housing. Extensive damage was also caused to a concrete production kiln, the property of Lundrigan’s concrete, one of the sub-contractors on the hospital project.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a spark from one of the engines operating the steam boiler which ignited the gasoline.
Firemen arrived on the scene shortly after the outbreak of the fire and quickly had it under control.
The fire, causing thousands of dollars in damage, destroyed a gasoline operated steam boiler and its housing. Extensive damage was also caused to a concrete production kiln, the property of Lundrigan’s concrete, one of the sub-contractors on the hospital project.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a spark from one of the engines operating the steam boiler which ignited the gasoline.
Firemen arrived on the scene shortly after the outbreak of the fire and quickly had it under control.